[oldsF85]

what does bump the engine around mean?--do you mean crank it with the key?

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Yes, or to bump the timing means to advance/retard it a small amount.

[camaroman7d]

Well when "bumping" the engine around you do not hold the key and crank it over. You just turn it for a fraction of a second at a time. People usually do this when trying to get the timing mark lined up or find TDC (top dead center).

Royce

[Chevtec]

Think of it like this. It's like turning a door knob quickly without moving the strike bolt and then, releasing the handle ...that's about the action you perform with the key in the ignition. You are sending short bursts of current to the starter to get it to turn the engine over in very small increments (less than one revolution usually)